National Republican., 1887-05-05

Cuts q Figure in the EvideDce-What
Caterer Stewart Know About the
burning.
Another day was consumed in the crimi-
nal court yesterday in the trial OF Mary j.
Mcbride and John w. Mcfarland, charged
with setting FIRE to house No. 5l5 Eleventh
street northwest on the Both Of last June,
with view Of defrauding the Flremen's
Insurance Company out Of $4,000, and the
Indications are that two weeks will pass
ere the end OF the hearing is reached. The
heat In the court room was very great, and
those compelled to be present suffered
greatly from IL. After the court opened
the argument, begun the afternoon previ.
Gus, on the admissibllity OF the letter taken
by Miss Mcbride to the insurance COM
pany was resumed and occupied the greater
portion Of the morning.
At the close OF the argument Justice
Montgomery said he was satisfied that the
district attorney, In formulating the indict-
ment, had not only followed the precedents
in this country, but those of England, and
he felt justified in overruling the objection.
Mr.. Howard was recalled to the stand,
and the letter upon which the objection
had been raised produced and contents
stated.
1t recited the fact OF the destruction OF
the furniture by the FIRE, her ownership OF
Il, and elaiIipg payment OF the policy held
Mr. Howard stated that no answer was
made by the company to the letter, and
Miss Mcbride did not further communicate
with the company In regard to the matter.
On cross. examination the witness stated
that he told Miss Mcbride that nething
would be done In the matter until the case
against her was cleared up.
Carrie Griffith being recalled, spoke OF
the letter left at her house by Mcfarland
before the last months rent for storage OF
furniture was paid.
The letter was shown and identified. 1t
was signed Mrs. Dugan, and thanking Nc
Farland for storing the furniture with such
nice people. and "Hhere she hoped Mr..
D. would not find IT," The district
attorney said he would show the letter to
be ia the handwriting of Miss Mcbride.
The counsel for Miss Mcbride objected to
the reading Of the letter, and 1t was ruled
out until the handwriting was proved.
Miss Griffith resumed her testimony, and
said that the letter Mcfarland brought to
her house was subsequently returned to
him.
Mr.. Taylor further objected to any testi-
mony In regard to the letter, asserting that
II was obtained from his client upon the
positive promise of the officers and distinct
Understanding that It was not to be used
in court or produced against him. He could
prove such declaration was made, and by
witnesses for the government.
District Attorney Worthington said he
had made no promises, and refused to make
any. He decided to present the entire
matter to the grand jury and abide by their
judgment, and II an indictment should be
found to prosecute every person connected
with the affair.
The court held that the time had not
arrived to raise the point.
Miss Griffith gave a description Of the
furniture stored at her house, and further
said that there was pillow case filled with
papers and letters which Mcfarland and
the officers took away. Mr.. Wash Williams
took the bedroom set, rocking chair, six
or seven pairs Of lace curtains, and an oil
stove. Miss Mcbride came to the house
the Friday after the fire, and about two
weeks later took away the bed, bed linen,
Mr.. Williams took and the bag OF letters.
1t made about one load in furniture
wagon.
Miss Annie Wilson, living in the house
on L street, testified to Miss McBrid6's
coming there to see the goods stored,
claimed them as her own, and said they had
been missing out of her room. She was
1ected such as she said belonged to her.
On cross examination by Mr.. Taylor the
witness stated that before the room was
opened Miss Mcbride said that she had
rugs, napkins, and other things there and
wanted them.
In answer to Mr.. Cook the witness said
that Miss Mcbride came there to get the
things because she knew she had sent them
there.
Mr.. Robert II. Hazard, assistant secretary
of the Firemen's Insurance Company, pro
duced record OF the company showing the
issuing OF policy to Miss Mcbride on March
"a, 1856, for one year, for 81 900, on the fur.
niture and wearing apparel In house No. 515
Eleventh street northwest.
Mr.. Wash. B. Williams testified to selling
furniture and carpets to Miss Mcbride IL
the fall OF 1885, and delivered the goods al
the house on Eleventh street before the fire
occurred. After the fire he found some OF
the furniture and rugs at 1904 l. street. II
was worth about $3.50. He subsequently
had conversation with Miss Mcbride, and
she said she did not know how 1t got in tht
house where 1t was found. Under deed O
trust to Miss Mcbride he sold, In all, goods
for the furniture and paid as they became
due, and there remained about 5000 Of th,
account unpaid.
George Butterfleld, file clerk in the pen
sion Office, testified that Miss Mcbride wa
employed in the Office some months before
the fire. He was familiar with her hand
writing. Letter that Mcfarland took tt
being In her handwriting; also the on
taken to Mr.. Howard claiming the insur
Thos. r. Harvey, formerly in the pension
office, In the same division with Miss Nc
Bride, also identified the letters submitted
as being in her handwriting.
The Mcfarland letter was here agail
offered In evidence and admitted. IT is q
follows:
BgRKLEy SPRINGS, VA, June II, 1ss6.-MR
MCFARLAND / have your note of Sunday las
and am gratihed to learn that you have go
my thinss housed With such , wise people; pO AT
they are and give them annoyance? hop
you took every precaution to prevent ther
from being traced by him. nor let him Sc
city on business for day or two soon. but /
the meantime send me receipt for rent Of stoI
age soon, as may send you the amount neet
ful to pay for next month. l hope you hay
used camphor in abundance, as INSTRUCTED
Let me hear from you at your early CONVEX
ience. Yours truly, Mrs. DCGAN.
d. /. Murphy, chief clerk Of the pensio
Office, testified that at the date OF th
letter lJune ~ from Berkeley, SPRING
Miss Mcbride was on duty In the Office
and that on June 30 and 80 and July sb
secured leave of absence, stating that
was for the purpose Of moving.
The purpose OF part of this testimon
was to show that Miss Mcbride was not {
the springs at the time Of the date of th
letter purporting to come from that poin
and that 1t was done to assist In hiding I'll
moving Of the furniture.
jarrett ii. Jackson testified to being th
man owning the wagon and moving th
furniture from the house on Elevent
street to the storage place on l. street.
Mrs. Sarah w. Oldham, clerk In the pei
sion office, was acquainted with Miss Nc
Bride, and saw her at the witnesses hous
Il haHarn Tho firm xIl nc